MS forms anti-Conficker alliance

Posted by   Virus Bulletin on   Feb 13, 2009

Industry group to combine efforts, reward offered.

Microsoft has announced a collaborative effort to combat the Conficker (aka Downadup) botnet, the widespread infection making headlines over the past few weeks. In addition, Microsoft is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the botnet's creators.

The partnership includes web management groups such as ICANN and the Public Internet Registry, major online players such as AOL and VeriSign, and security firms including Symantec, F-Secure and Arbor Networks. They will work together, sharing information and resources with the aim of disrupting the activities of the botnet and bringing it down.

Microsoft combined the announcement with news that a reward of $250,000 is being made available as an incentive for anyone with information on those behind the malware infection. The move revives an old programme of rewards, which was previously effective in tracking down the creator of the notorious Sasser worm.

Microsoft's announcement of both the partnership and the reward is here. More on the project is blogged by alliance members ShadowServer here and Symantec here, with news coverage of the reward offer at The Register here.

Posted on 13 February 2009 by Virus Bulletin

twitter.png
fb.png
linkedin.png
hackernews.png
reddit.png

 

Latest posts:

VBSpam tests to be executed under the AMTSO framework

VB is excited to announce that, starting from the Q3 test, all VBSpam tests of email security products will be executed under the AMTSO framework.

In memoriam: Prof. Ross Anderson

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of Professor Ross Anderson a few days ago.

In memoriam: Dr Alan Solomon

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of industry pioneer Dr Alan Solomon earlier this week.

New paper: Nexus Android banking botnet – compromising C&C panels and dissecting mobile AppInjects

In a new paper, researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Bansal provide details of a security vulnerability in the Nexus Android botnet C&C panel that was exploited in order to gather threat intelligence, and present a model of mobile AppInjects.

New paper: Collector-stealer: a Russian origin credential and information extractor

In a new paper, F5 researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Chaturvedi present a 360 analysis of Collector-stealer, a Russian-origin credential and information extractor.

We have placed cookies on your device in order to improve the functionality of this site, as outlined in our cookies policy. However, you may delete and block all cookies from this site and your use of the site will be unaffected. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to Virus Bulletin's use of data as outlined in our privacy policy.